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Grand Marshall of the Firemenís Association of the State of Pennsylvania 133rd Convention Richard L. Williams struts along West Marshall Street in Norristown Saturday during the parade. Williams has been with the Norristown Fire Department for 47 years. Photo by Gene Walsh/Times Herald Staff

To the Norristown Fire Department for hosting the 133rd annual Firemenís Association of the State of Pennsylvania Convention, and for the concluding parade that brought thousands of residents to Norristown to see some of the old, and some of the new, fire fighting vehicles that have been used by departments across the state over the years. We canít thank our local firefighters enough for all they do, and weíre certain residents across the state feel the same.

To the end of the controversy over Voter ID. While we support showing identification before voting, the timing and execution of the new law put the election process in jeopardy. We certainly didnít want to have another presidential election marred in controversy. The law was not shelved, but the requirement to show a photo identification card was put on hold for this yearís election, which we believe was the right thing to do. The process and requirements for getting a valid photo identification card need to be revamped well before the next election so every registered voter who wants to exercise his or her right to vote can do so without encumbrances.

To the continuing tradition of the Old Newsboys day event in Norristown. Each year some of our elected officials, including all of our county commissioners, stand out on Main Street hawking newspapers, not for us, but for Variety, the childrenís chairity. The Happiness Edition is put together each year for the specific purpose of raising money for the Variety Club camp in Worcester. We hope to see this tradition continue for years to come.

To our very own Bill Bourne on being honored by the Schwenkfelder Library and Heritage Center in Pennsburg, which will host a fundraising event at the Bay Pony Inn in Lederach to honor the World War II Naval Air Corps veteran. Bourne, who went on to a prolific career as a painter and a commercial artist, got his start at The Times Herald drawing a single panel cartoon series called ďTerry Hathaway.Ē Congratulations Mr. Bourne on you well deserved honor.